SAND SPRINGS — The deaths of two bicyclists who were struck by a sport utility vehicle Tuesday points to the hazards cyclists face from motor vehicles, either through their own fault or because of inattentive drivers, officials said.
While many motorists might get a little agitated at bicyclists on the road, they should remember cyclists also have a right of way, said Craig Murray, traffic safety coordinator for the Tulsa Police Department.
At the same time, Murray said, cyclists also have to adhere to the rules of the road and specific laws that affect them. Tulsa police wrote 16 citations to cyclists for not following rules in 2008, Murray said.
Killed Tuesday on the shoulder of State Highway 51 west of Sand Springs were Christa Voss, 33, a Tulsa Community College professor and Owasso resident. Matthew Edmonds, 34, a Tulsa geologist who was recently laid off by an oil company, died later at a hospital. Another cyclist was treated and released from a hospital.
They were among a group of cyclists riding on the shoulder when they were hit by a sport utility vehicle. Police said the driver is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. Tim Carrigg, president of the Tulsa Wheelmen racing club, said bike riders travel along the road with an expectation that something might happen to them.
"It’s unnerving to be on a 20-pound bicycle and worrying about getting hit by a 1,000-pound car,” he said.
While many motorists may get upset with other motorists on the road, Carrigg said many cyclists endure near-road rage from impatient motorists who have to slow down for a few seconds.
Often, angry motorists will follow a cyclist too closely and then lean on the horn to intimidate the cyclist. That’s when accidents can happen, he said.
For their part, Carrigg said most cyclists will not react to a motorist’s anger and will try to move over as best they can.
"We try to discourage any action by cyclists” in response to angry drivers, Carrigg said.
The victims
Several students burst into tears Wednesday when a Tulsa Community College administrator informed Voss’ class that she had been killed. The summer semester was only days old.
"That’s the kind of person Christa was,” said Connie Hebert, an associate dean. "Everybody loved her right away, as soon as they met her.”
Voss, a specialist in anatomy and nutrition, had worked at the Tulsa Zoo until she joined the TCC faculty full-time in 2005. Running was her first love, said her older brother, Stephen Voss. She also got up at 4 or 5 a.m. every morning to go biking.
"It wasn’t unusual for her to do 100 miles in one day,” Stephen Voss said. "She considered her biking friends her family.”
A neighbor in Owasso said she also enjoyed skydiving and even took bagpipe lessons, "just because it looked fun to her.”
All three victims belonged to Bicycles of Tulsa, an amateur racing team that competed in regional events from Kansas City to Dallas.
"They were funny, lively, good-natured people,” said Michael Farlow, a team leader. "I can’t think of a bad word I would say about any of them.”
Carrigg said "We’re all good friends. We saw each other every week, and it’s never going to be the same without them.”
by the associated press
While many motorists might get a little agitated at bicyclists on the road, they should remember cyclists also have a right of way, said Craig Murray, traffic safety coordinator for the Tulsa Police Department.
At the same time, Murray said, cyclists also have to adhere to the rules of the road and specific laws that affect them. Tulsa police wrote 16 citations to cyclists for not following rules in 2008, Murray said.
Killed Tuesday on the shoulder of State Highway 51 west of Sand Springs were Christa Voss, 33, a Tulsa Community College professor and Owasso resident. Matthew Edmonds, 34, a Tulsa geologist who was recently laid off by an oil company, died later at a hospital. Another cyclist was treated and released from a hospital.
They were among a group of cyclists riding on the shoulder when they were hit by a sport utility vehicle. Police said the driver is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. Tim Carrigg, president of the Tulsa Wheelmen racing club, said bike riders travel along the road with an expectation that something might happen to them.
"It’s unnerving to be on a 20-pound bicycle and worrying about getting hit by a 1,000-pound car,” he said.
While many motorists may get upset with other motorists on the road, Carrigg said many cyclists endure near-road rage from impatient motorists who have to slow down for a few seconds.
Often, angry motorists will follow a cyclist too closely and then lean on the horn to intimidate the cyclist. That’s when accidents can happen, he said.
For their part, Carrigg said most cyclists will not react to a motorist’s anger and will try to move over as best they can.
"We try to discourage any action by cyclists” in response to angry drivers, Carrigg said.
The victims
Several students burst into tears Wednesday when a Tulsa Community College administrator informed Voss’ class that she had been killed. The summer semester was only days old.
"That’s the kind of person Christa was,” said Connie Hebert, an associate dean. "Everybody loved her right away, as soon as they met her.”
Voss, a specialist in anatomy and nutrition, had worked at the Tulsa Zoo until she joined the TCC faculty full-time in 2005. Running was her first love, said her older brother, Stephen Voss. She also got up at 4 or 5 a.m. every morning to go biking.
"It wasn’t unusual for her to do 100 miles in one day,” Stephen Voss said. "She considered her biking friends her family.”
A neighbor in Owasso said she also enjoyed skydiving and even took bagpipe lessons, "just because it looked fun to her.”
All three victims belonged to Bicycles of Tulsa, an amateur racing team that competed in regional events from Kansas City to Dallas.
"They were funny, lively, good-natured people,” said Michael Farlow, a team leader. "I can’t think of a bad word I would say about any of them.”
Carrigg said "We’re all good friends. We saw each other every week, and it’s never going to be the same without them.”
by the associated press
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